The fire service in West Yorkshire has issued a warning ahead of a new emergency alarm test.

Millions of phones across the country will sound an alarm as part of a nationwide test of a new system designed to inform people of dangerous or life-threatening situations.

The alarm will be received on 4G and 5G mobile phones, along with sound and vibration for up to 10 seconds.

It will say: “This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a new UK government service that will warn you if there’s a life-threatening emergency nearby.

“In a real emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe.

“Visit gov.uk/alerts for more information.

“This is a test. You do not need to take any action.”

Phone users then swipe or click the message before using their phone as normal.

Ahead of the test at 3pm on Sunday, April 23, West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service's (WYFRS) social media channel has issued a reminder.

A spokesperson for WYFRS said: "One week today, on April 23rd, at 3pm, the new Emergency Alerts system will be tested nationally.

"The system will be used to send a direct message to mobiles where there is a risk to life - which could include severe floods, fires or extreme weather."

Emergency alert system test in the UK

The system is modelled on similar schemes in the US, Canada, the Netherlands and Japan.

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Oliver Dowden said: “At 3pm next Sunday (April 23) we’ll be doing a nationwide test of our new Emergency Alerts system.

“Getting this system operational means we have a vital tool to keep the public safe in life-threatening emergencies.

“It could be the sound that saves your life.”

Domestic violence risk

Domestic violence campaigners have warned the test could put people in danger by revealing the location of secret phones hidden away by those at risk.

The Government said it has been actively engaging with organisations working with vulnerable women and girls to ensure they are not adversely affected by the introduction of emergency alerts.

Officials stressed that it is easy to opt out of the system if people need their phone to stay concealed, either by turning off emergency alerts in their settings or simply having the phone switched off during the test.